wfn.org | Jacob: from Heel-Grabber to God-Wrestler

[PCUSA NEWS <pcusa.news@ecunet.org>]

30-December-1999 
99438 
 
    Jacob: from Heel-Grabber to God-Wrestler 
 
    "Dawn ... an Epiphany" gets a unique version of ancient story 
 
    by Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
INDIANAPOLIS-Theological education was never like this. 
 
    Blending solid Bible study and expository preaching with laser light 
shows, loud rock and roll gospel music and hilarious dramatic depictions, 
the Genesis story of Jacob came to life here Dec. 29 in a way those not 
here could scarcely imagine. 
 
    "Let's get ready to ruuuummmmbbbblllle!!!" shouted a famous 
professional wrestling announcer (appearing on audio tape) as actors 
portraying Jacob and the angel streamed down the center aisle to stage the 
all-night wrestling match recounted in Genesis 32.  Meanwhile, "ringside" 
announcers screamed hysterically about the "earth-changing bout" that was 
about to take place. 
 
    It was all part of what Bible study leader the Rev. Houston Hodges, 
former executive of North Alabama Presbytery and recently retired editor of 
"Monday Morning" described as Jacob's conversion from self-absorbed 
"heel-grabber" (the literal translation of his name from the Hebrew) to 
faithful "God-wrestler" (translated from the name given to him by the angel 
- "Israel"). 
 
    Hodges - at morning Bible study - and the evening preacher, the Rev. 
Mary Paik of McCormick Theological Seminary, both reminded the nearly 3,000 
participants at this millennium-turning celebration that "there's a little 
bit of Jacob in all of us." 
 
    Accompaniment was provided by the Presbyterian "house band" - "First 
Watch," a six-member group based in Tennessee and Texas.  No hymnbooks 
needed - lyrics to all songs were flashed on gigantic screens on either 
side of the stage. 
 
    And a drama troupe from Portola Valley Presbyterian Church in San 
Francisco Presbytery punctuated the story with hilarious live and 
videotaped performances, featuring interviews with Jacob story characters 
by "PSPN" reporter "No Nonsense Noelle," who in real life is Noelle 
Goodman-Morris, daughter of the Revs. Mark and Cheryl Goodman-Morris.  Mark 
is pastor of the Portola Valley church and Cheryl is the creative force 
behind the drama troupe.  Noelle celebrated her 15th birthday at "the 
Dawn." 
 
    Hodges recounted the machinations of Jacob to acquire, by hook or by 
crook, that which belonged to his twin brother, Esau.  Having gotten 
wealthy using his brother's birthright in exile, Jacob returned home after 
15 years, Hodges said, with a scheme to win back his brother with one last 
misguided act - bribery. 
 
    After his all-night wrestling match with the supposed angel, Jacob 
receives the angel's blessing and a new name - Israel ("God-wrestler"). 
 
    "Jacob never knew whether he won or lost," Hodges said.  "And that's 
the way it is for us sometimes."  All Jacob knew, Hodges added, "was that 
he was changed forever, from a scheming, selfish "heel-grabber" (the 
literal translation of the Hebrew Jacob) to one who instead holds on to God 
for dear life and who is held eternally in return." 
 
    This is how it is with us, he told his youthful congregation.  "You'll 
wrestle with God, not knowing whether you're winning or losing.  There are 
traits in you that can be good or bad," Hodges cautioned, "grabbiness like 
Jacob's.  The question all of us must study hard and answer honestly is 
`What is in there that God wants to use this week and the rest of your 
lives for God's glory?'" 
 
    Paik, the first Korean-American woman ordained as a minister in the 
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), said the worship team adopted the moniker 
"icky guy" for Jacob.  "Jacob was an icky guy - telling little white lies 
to get what he wants, playing a little office or school or church politics, 
cheating just a little bit, putting himself ahead of what's right to get 
what he wants," Paik said, "and when I look in the mirror, I see some of 
Jacob in me." 
 
    And like Jacob, we also wrestle - with ourselves and with God, Paik 
continued.  "I see myself wrestling - with my conscience, when I ask why 
even when I know the answer, when I have to make choices about how to live 
my life." 
 
    The miracle, Paik said, "is that God is with us when we make these 
choices, wrestling with us to get unstuck from the icky stuff." 
 
    Poignantly recounting hearing her mother talk of having her name 
forcibly changed from Cho to Matsuyama during the Japanese occupation of 
Korea, Paik said she, too, felt like Jacob at the point at which he 
received his new name - "Israel."  Her grandfather, she said, continued to 
tell her mother, "You are Cho, no matter what anyone else says.  Your real 
name is Cho." 
 
    So it is with those who "wrestle with God to get unstuck from the icky 
stuff," Paik said.  "When you wrestle with God, as Jacob did when he 
received the blessing of his real name, Israel, your real name is 
God-lover, peace-maker, vision-seeker." 

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